Bond says he will retire

After four decades of public service, Sen. Kit Bond will retire after his 40th year in public service in 2010.
Bond made the announcement before the Missouri General Assemble yesterday.
“In 1972, I became Missouri’s youngest governor. Ladies and gentleman, I do not aspire to become Missouri’s oldest Senator,” he said during his speech released on his Web site.
Bond first was elected to state wide office in 1970 when he was elected state auditor. In 1972 he began the first of two terms as governor of Missouri and has spent four terms in the U.S. Senate.
Bond in his address pointed to many of his bi-partisan efforts over the years and said he will spend his remaining two years in the Senate working with Democrats and Republicans to solve many of the issues facing the nation.
Missouri Democratic Congressman Russ Carnahan, in a statement released Thursday, said Bond was always willing to work across party lines.
“Since being elected to Congress, I have had the opportunity to work with Missouri’s Senior Sen. Kit Bond,” Carnahan said. “While we haven’t always agreed, he has had the willingness to work across party lines. As we face many big challenges, we will continue to draw on his experience to find solutions for our state and nation. Along with other members of the Missouri delegation in Washington, and citizens across the state, I thank him for his many years of public service.”
Bond will spend today and tomorrow touring the state to celebrate his decision with supporters.
Speculation has already begun about who will run to replace Bond in 2010. Missouri Attorney General-Elect Chris Koster is already throwing his support behind Secretary of State, Robin Carnahan.
“As talk turns to 2010 and who may replace Senator Bond during these challenging economic times, I am confident that the Democratic Party will nominate a strong candidate, and we don’t have to look any farther than Robin Carnahan,” Koster said in a statement released Thursday. “As Attorney General, I look forward to supporting her, if she chooses to run.”